EXETER -- Optima Bank & Trust has been named the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year in the financial services/insurance category.

It is the second time in less than a year that the five-year-old locally-owned commercial bank has received such an award. Optima Bank was named the 2012 Business of the Year by the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce last August.

“We are honored to be recognized again as a leader in our communities,” said Daniel R. Morrison, Optima Bank’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Since the bank opened for business in 2008 our mission has been to provide exceptional banking service to local residents and businesses.”

More than 95 businesses had been nominated for the Exeter Area Chamber Business of the Year awards.

Gov. Maggie Hassan, an Exeter resident, said the number of nominations showed that “many Exeter area businesses are achieving high levels of success and are worthy of recognition.”

Michael Schidlovsky, president of the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce, agreed.

“Optima Bank’s branch in Stratham and its employees have very rapidly become a key piece of the local economy, generous contributors and participants in the community and exemplary members of the Chamber,” he said. “They understand that their banking success will be directly proportionate to the quality of people they employ, the success of the communities and the businesses and people they serve.”

“The economy of the New Hampshire Seacoast is one of the strongest in the nation, and we are proud to be part of that,” Morrison said, as he thanked the entire Chamber membership. “The great work you all do every day is what makes our community such a great place to live, to work and to do business.”

Optima Bank & Trust, where “Everything is Possible,” offers traditional bank products and services with competitive rates and a focus on exceptional personal service. For more information, visit the Optima branches at Two Harbour Place, Portsmouth (433-9600), 26 Lafayette Road, North Hampton (433-9633) and 17 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham (773-5222) and the Dover Loan Office at 828 Central Ave. (516-1175) or the website at www.optimabank.com.